Super Bowl 2018 Opening Betting Odds: Patriots vs. Eagles Point Spread, Over/Under, Moneyline

The opening Super Bowl 2018 betting odds have the New England Patriots favored over the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 4 in Minneapolis. While the exact betting line is different at various sportsbooks, the defending champs are expected to win their second title in as many years.

When it became clear what the Super Bowl LII matchup would be Sunday night, New England opened as high as a 6.5-point favorite and as low as a five-point favorite. The point spread has moved to five points at many sportsbooks, per OddsShark, though the Patriots are 5.5-point favorites at places like the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook and different betting websites.

The over/under ranges from 47.5 to 48.5.

After the Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in Sunday’s thrilling AFC Championship Game, it appeared that New England might be favored by more than a touchdown in a potential matchup with Philadelphia. That changed when the Eagles completely dominated the Minnesota Vikings and their No.1 ranked defense, cruising to a 38-7 victory in the NFC Championship Game.

Nick Foles had the best game of any quarterback in the 2018 playoffs, completing 26 of 33 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Brady went 26-of-38 for 290 yards and two scores in New England’s win.

Even though the Eagles might have more of a chance to pull off the upset than what appeared to be the case heading into Sunday’s championship game, it would still be considered a major upset if they beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Philadephia is the biggest Super Bowl underdog since 2009 when the Pittsburgh Steelers were favored by a touchdown over the Arizona Cardinals.

It isn’t just that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick reach the Super Bowl nearly every other year. When they win the AFC, the Patriots are almost always expected to become champions. After being 14-point underdogs in their first Super Bowl appearance together in 2002, New England has been favored in each of their last seven trips to the Super Bowl.

The Patriots are 5-4 all-time in Super Bowls and 5-2 in the Brady-Belichick era. The Eagles have no Super Bowl titles in the history of their franchise, coming up short in 1981 and 2005.

New England defeated Philadelphia 24-21 in the 2005 Super Bowl, becoming the last NFL team to win back-to-back titles. The Eagles were seven-point underdogs in that contest.

The Patriots were favored by three points over the Atlanta Falcons in last year’s Super Bowl. New England covered the spread with a 34-28 win, though they needed overtime and the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history to do so.

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